Heating apparatus



R. H. CARSON ET AL April 21, 1936.

HEAT I NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. 22, 1935 3' Sheets-Sheet 1 nr r0 m a HC 2 3 m A ril 21, 1936. R. H. CARSON ET AL HEATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 22, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Carson E0 667'! E Carson TTORNEY.

April 21, 1936. R. H. CARSON EPA!- HEATING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 22, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQRS fierf A. Carson ORNEY.

Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEATING APPARATUS Application November 22, 1933, Serial No. 699,214

7 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in steam heating systems and similar apparatus.

Our invention relates more particularly to improvements in steam heating systems of the grav- .ity, air line, or vacuum type.

One of the problems in dealing with low pressure steam heating plants has been: To relieve the system of air as rapidly as possible, and to return the condensation to the boiler with a minimum of friction and interference. When this has been accomplished, it permits the free flow of steam through the mains to fill the radiators, assuring full heating economy and efficiency. This is naturally a slow process without the aid of a vacuum pump or other mechanical devices.

In the early days of steam heating apparatus, there was no mechanical appliance that would perform this duty; consequently, it was necessary to create a high steam pressure in all heating apparatus in order to force the air in the mains and radiators through the air valve ports. Various devices have been utilized in the past for performing the same functions. The most successful of these devices are: The vacuum pump, the condensation pump, and receiving tank, which are generally recognized to be very eflicient in connection with low pressure steam heating Plants and operate both economically and efliciently during heating periods.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for effecting better circulation in the steam heating system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic mechanical device for producing the above mentioned result.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide improved means for removing air and non-condensible gases from steam heating systems and all other apparatus which require the removal of air or other gases therein in order that the system may function properly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide improved means for steam heating systems whereby a vacuum may be easily and frequently produced in the system in order to remove air and non-condensible gases therefrom.

A further object is to provide an improved mechanism of the type described capable of performing the acts mentioned and in addition thereto, returning the condensate to the source of supply, such as the boiler or the supply mains.

A further object is to provide an improved means of the type described capable of perform ing the acts explained on any of the systems mentioned much cheaper and more economically than any other type of device at present on the market. 7

A further object of the present invention is to provide means of the type described capable of producing an extremely high vacuum at intervals 5 throughout the entire period of operation of the system, and one which is accomplished either without the use of or by the use of a boiler independent of the main boiler of the system.

Other objects and advantages of the present in- 10 vention will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference may be had to the accompanying sheets of drawings upon which:

Figure I is a diagrammatic view illustrating 5 the apparatus which operates upon the system.

Figure II is a diagrammatic view illustrating the apparatus employed in connection with a compensating vacuum system.

Figure III is a diagrammatic view illustrating 20 the employment of the apparatus in connection with an air-line system, and

Figure IV is a similar diagrammatic view showing the apparatus employed in connection with a one-pipe gravity steam system. 25

As shown in the drawings, we have illustrated a main boiler 3 of a heating plant from which a steam main 311 may extend upwardly to a plurality of radiators 6 connected thereto by suitable conduits 8. The main boiler 3 may utilize gas, oil, or coal for heating purposes, and in the em bodiment of the invention shown in the drawings,

We have shown a gas burner l0 provided with the usual pilot l2 which may be connected to the gas main- M by means of a conduit l6. Adjacent the main boiler 3, we provide an auxiliary boiler unit [8 which is suitably connected to the fire box of the main boiler 3 by means of the passage-way 20. The unit I8 may be provided with a pair of comparatively small tank members 22 and 24, connected adjacent their lower ends by a conduit 26 and at an intermediate point by a larger conduit 28 provided to insure uniform circulation and heating in both tanks.

We provide a gas burner 30 below tank 22 provided with the usual pilot 3| and a conduit 32 extending to the conduit l 6 whichcarries gas to the main boiler pilot l2. A gas pipe line 33 may extend from the burner 30 to the gas main M. The pipe 33 may have a hand valve 34 therein and a pressure-stat valve 35 which has a conduit 36 connected to the interior of tank 24. A water pipe line 3! may extend from the water leg 38 to the lower end of tank 24 having the check valve 39 and the float valve 40 therein. The float valve 48 is of the usual type actuated by a float 4| within the tank 24 and is adapted to shut oif the supply of water when the water reaches the desired level in the tanks 22 and 24.

A baffle-plate 42, positioned horizontally within the unit l8, insures the use to its fullest extent of the heat produced by the burner 39 by reason of the manner in which it draws the flow of the heat upward and outwardly through conduit 20 into the fire box of the main boiler 3.

A pair of outlet conduits, 43 and 44, are suitably connected to a vertical pipe line 45 which extends upwardly and is connected to the steam main 3a by means of a cross pipe 45. A check valve 41 in the line 46 prevents the fiow of steam through the line 46 into the steam main.

A by-pass 48 is formed around the check valve 41 and forms a connection with the steam main, however, through the pressure relief valve 49. A branch 58 may extend outwardly from pipe line 45 and by means of suitable fittings, be connected to the upper end of a receiver tank A 3-way valve 52 is positioned in the branch 58 for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. A conduit 53 may extend from the upper end of valve 52 and be connected to pipe line 48. The line 53 has a check valve 54 therein, as shown. The receiver tank 5| may preferably be cylindrical in shape and formed with a closed top and bottom. The lower end may have a central tubular extension 55 connecting the same with a member 56 which has a chamber 51 formed therein. The lower end of member 56 may be connected to and supported by the water leg 38 previously described. The receiving tank 5| may be surrounded by a sheet metal shell 58 open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by a damper member 59. The damper member 59 is operated to open and shut by an expansible and contractible bellows member 60 connected thereto by a lever member 6|. The bellows member 60 is supported upon an upright conduit 62 extending from the branch pipe 58.

Means for operating the 3-way valve 52 may comprise the lever 63 connected by a link 64 to one side of a thermostatically operated bellows member 65 supported on a bracket 66 from the upper end of the receiver tank 5|. A tube 61 communicating with the member 65 may extend downwardly and terminate in a bulb member 68 and tube 61 which may be charged with a, volatile fluid capable of expansion or contraction due to thermostatic changes.

The bulb member 68 is adapted to be positioned in the upper portion of chamber 51.

A stand-pipe 18 may be positioned within the water leg 38 and extend upwardly through chamber 51, extension 55, and into the interior of receiver tank 5|, and have positioned at its upper open end a horizontal plate member 1|. This plate may be formed with a plurality of minute perforations and a flanged edge portion 12. The stand-pipe may be connected at its lower end to a horizontal pipe 13 which has an extension 14 communicating with the lower end of a housing within which the chamber 16 is formed. A similar extension 11 may connect to an upright pipe 18 which has an extension 19' connected to the side wall of chamber 56 adjacent its upper end. The lower end of pipe 18 may be connected to a return pipe 19 which extends to the main boiler 3. Suitable check valves 89 and 8| are provided in the lines 13 and 11 and a check valve 82 is likewise provided in the return line 19 adjacent the main boiler 3. Both the pipes 14 and.

19 may be controlled from the interior of the chambers 16 and 51 by suitable float valves 83 and 84.

The pipe line 11 may continue beyond its connection with the upright pipe 18 and be connected to the return line 19 beyond the upright pipe 18. A check valve 85 may be interposed in the line. The return lines 19 which come from the radiators 6 may be provided with suitable vacuum top air vents 90.

Similar air vent members 90 are positioned one in the upper Wall of housing 56 and one on the upper end of a vertical pipe 9| which extends downwardly in the receiver tank 5|. A water column pipe 92 extends from one side of the housing 15 upwardly to a point above the water line of the main boiler 3.

The operation of the device as described in connection with the compensating vacuum system such as the one shown in Figure II, will now be described:

Assuming that it is desired to begin the operation of the steam heating system, the pilots I2 and 3| may be lit before turning on the gas for the burners l9 and 38. Assuming further that suflicient water is contained in the main boiler 3 and auxiliary boilers 22 and 24, steam will soon be generated in all boilers. As soon as steam is generated, the steam will flow through the steam mains 3a to the various radiators and will force all of the air in the system out through the vacuum top vents 90 positioned in the return lines 19. The steam will enter all of the radiators 6 in the system as soon as the temperature in the radiators rises. The thermostatic traps 95 mounted at the outlet of each radiator will automatically close the radiator outlet.

During the interval in which the above has been accomplished, the auxiliary boilers 22 and 24 will have generated sufficient steam to fill and drive out all of the air in the receiver tank 5|. The steam flows through the upright pipe 45, cross pipe 50, and 3-way valve 52 which is normally in an open position as shown in Figure I. As soon as receiver tank 5| has been completely filled with steam, the steam will pass through extension 55 to chamber 51 and serve to heat the bulb 68 to expand the volatile fluid therein which will pass upwardly through tube 61 and act upon bellows 65 to operate lever 53 to close the valve 52, thus shutting off the supply of steam to receiver tank.

When valve 52 closes off the supply of steam through line 58, it opens a passageway through pipe 53 to the steam main 3a, so that steam under pressure in the tank rushes up therethrough. In the event there is a slight vacuum in the steam line, the creating of a vacuum in the tank is thus expedited.

Assuming now that receiver tank 5| has been filled with steam under pressure, steam from the receiver tank will produce a pressure in bellows member 60 which, by means of link 6 will swing the damper 59 to open a passageway in shell 58 to allow cold air to pass upwardly around the receiver tank. The cooling of the receiver tank will immediately start the forming of a small vacuum due to the condensation of the steam when subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure. This will serve to draw condensate from the system through the stand-pipe 10 which will flow out upon the perforated plate 1| and trickle or rain downwardly through the steam in the receiver tank, causing a'sudden reduction of the temperature and volume, and as a consequence,

' receiver.

cause about 25 inches of vacuum to suddenly 9|, and valve 99.

a very high vacuum will form in the receiver. This vacuum is suflicient to draw a large amount of condensate and air from the system through return line 19, upright I8, and. stand-pipe 10 which will flow down extension 55 into chamber 51 and fill the same with liquid until the liquid reaches a suflicient level to raise the float valve 84 to allow the water to return to the boiler through pipe 18 and return line 19 when valve 52 is again opened and receiver tank is filled with steam equal to or above that in main boiler 3.

The float valve 84, positioned in the top of chamber 5'! will close the outlet through pipe 19 and allow suflicient water to stand in chamber 51 so that when pressure is applied to the surface thereof, the same will be forced down through pipe 96 and past check valve 91 to a chamber 16 of housing 15. This chamber 16 has a vent about half way from the top from which a water column pipe extends upwardly above the water line of the boiler. As water has been forced into chamber 16 by the action previously described, the float valve 83 will be opened and will remain open to allow the water to flow out through pipe 14 until the equalized pressure in the receiver tank 5| has dropped below that which forced the water into chamber 16.

As soon as the pressure in the receiver tank 5| drops below that of the air compressed in chamber 16 by reason of the introduction of the water therein, the air will move the water downwardly through check valve 80 and up through stand-pipe to further cool the steam in the This cooling action has been found to causing a contraction in the volatile fluid and a movement of bellows 65 to operate valve 52 to the normal position shown in Figure 1.

When valve 52 is again moved to allow steam to enter tank 5|, the condensate which may be.

in the tank is forced outwardly through pipe 19, 18, and into the main boiler 3 and any air which may be in the tank is exhausted throughpipe Air below the level of pipe 9| is driven out through air valve 99 located in the top of the housing 56. These valves are of the vacuum top type which allow air to be excluded therefrom but prevent the return of air, and are adapted to close at steam temperature.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that as soon as the valve 52 has been returned to normal, the operation heretofore described will be repeated, thus providing a continuous production of high vacuum for withdrawing air and condensate from the system and applying this vacuum at intermittent intervals.

During the movement of lever 63 to open and shut valve 52 to allow steam to enter the receiver tank, there is a shortinterval when the valve is open to allow steam which may be in the line to flow upwardly through pipe 53 and pass check valve 54 into the steam main 3a. It will also be apparent that when a vacuum begins to form in the receiver tank 5|, the bellows 60 will be contracted and operated to close the damper 59 to stop the circulation of air around the receiver. In the event that the steam pressure in the large boiler 3 rises above that in the auxiliary boilers 22 and 24, steam willpass through pipe line 46, past check valve 41 and through pipe 50 into the receiver tank. Thus it can be seenthat the receiver tank may be operated without the use of an independent or auxiliary boiler. In the event that the steam pressure is too high in the auxiliary boilers, it will be discharged into the steam main 3w through the relief valve 49.

1 In Figure III, we have illustrated in a diagrammatic manner the receiving tank and associated apparatus as applied to an air line heating system. In this type of system, the radiators 6 are usually connected to the steam main 3a by branches 6a which enter the radiator at a lower end thereof. The air return lines 6a usually extend from an inlet adjacent the upper end of the opposite side of the radiators and are each provided with thermostatic air vents 99a. The steam main 3a may extend throughout the system and have a return line 19 connected to conduit 11, which extends therefrom to the stand-pipe 19 in the receiver tank having a trap 85 similar to that shown in Figure I.

The return lines of steam main 3a are provided with air vents 90 at the points shown for the purpose of forcing air in the system outward- 1y, similar to the manner in which it is done in the previously described application. A thermostatic trap 95 is further provided in the line T1 for the purpose of preventing the withdrawal of steam from the mains 3a during a heating operation.

l A conduit 6c may connect all of the air return lines with the line 1'! entering the stand-pipe "ill. The conduit 50 may have a suitable check valve 611 for the purpose of preventing air from being forced back from the receiver tank into the line.

With the air line system shown in Figure III, it will be obvious that the receiver tank operating at intervals will clearly increase the efficiency of the system by drawing the air through the lines 60 and by drawing the condensate which may form in the main 3a into the receiver tank through the line H. It will further be obvious that by the use of the receiver tank mechanism, radiators may be placed below the water level of the water in the boiler, as the vacuum which is caused in the receiver tank will obviously be capable of drawing all condensate which may be in the pipes into the receiver tank, thus clearing the system and allowing the efficient circulation of steam.

In Figure IV we have illustrated the application of our improved apparatus to a one-pipe gravity system. In the drawings the steam main 3a may extend from the boiler 3 and have branches 6a extending to the individual radiators 6. Each of the radiators is provided with a suitable air vent 99 adjacent the upper end thereof through which the air that may be in the radiators or the mains is normally expelled. One leg of a return line 19 may extend from the steam main 3a and enter a line 19a which is suitably connected to line 11 that communicates with standpipe l0 and the other leg 191) may also be suitably connected as shown in the drawings.

' Each of the return lines 19a and 19b are provided with air vents 99 at a point above the water level of boiler 3. A thermostatic trap 95 which closes under steam temperature is also interposed in the line 11 in this'type of installation.

The purpose of utilizing our improved apparatus in connection with a one-pipe gravity system is to speed up the operation thereof, assist in drawing the air and condensate out of the system,

and has been found particularly useful where mains such as the steam main 3a have been sagged or bent around beams or other obstacles in a building, and have thus formed pockets which it has been impossible to empty with the apparatus used in the past.

It is further evident that by creating a vacuum in the manner described, radiators may be placed below the water level of the boiler and condensate and air will be drawn from them as easily and quickly as from any other part of the system.

While we have illustrated and described our apparatus with particular references to the systems discussed, it will be apparent that the apparatus may be equally well applied to any other system or systems at present known or which may be devised, and we desire it to be clearly understood that we do not Wish to be limited to the particular use shown nor to the exact details emplcyed in the apparatus as described.

For example, it will be apparent that the shell 58, together with the bellows 60 and damper 59, may be omitted and the apparatus will function equally well as with the use of the parts mentioned. It will be further obvious that while operation of the apparatus is quickened by the use of the auxiliary boilers mentioned, that the same may be omitted and the device will still function to perform the objects thereof.

What we desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. The combination with a steam heating system having a steam boiler, radiators, pipes thereto and return pipes therefrom, of an auxiliary boiler, a receiver tank, a conduit therebetween, a thermostatically operated valve in said conduit, said valve responsive to the temperature within the shell and adapted to operate to close the valve upon an increase of temperature therein, a conduitconnected with' the return line of said system having an upper end extending vertically into said receiver tank, a perforated plate secured to the upper end of said conduit, a shell enclosing said receiver tank, means connected with the inlet side of the thermostatically operated valve in the conduit between said auxiliary boiler and said receiver tank for opening a passageway to allow cool air to circulate around said receiver tank to form a vacuum therein, said conduit connected with the return line adapted to transmit the vacuum to said heating system to draw water and air therefrom.

2. Apparatus for employment with a steam heating system comprising a receiver tank, means for providing steam therefor, means for closing off the source of steam when said tank is filled, a shell around said tank, means operated by the steam pressure in said tank for opening a vent in said shell to allow cool air to circulate around said tank, a vertical stand-pipe in said tank connected to the return line of said heating system, a horizontal perforated plate attached to the upper end thereof, said stand-pipe and plate arranged to draw condensate from the heating system by the low vacuum created by the cool air circulation and adapted to allow said condensate to sprinkle downwardly through the steam in said receiver tank to create a high vacuum therein to draw all the air and condensate from said system.

3. Apparatus for employment with a steam heating system comprising a receiver tank, means for providing steam therefor, means for closing off the source of steam when said tank is filled, a shell around said tank, means operated by the steam pressure in said tank for opening a vent in said shell to allow cool air to circulate around said tank, a vertical stand-pipe in said tank connected to the return line of said heating system, a horizontal perforated plate attached to the upper end thereof, said stand-pipe and plate arranged to .draw condensate from the heating system by the low vacuum created by the cool air circulation and adapted to allow said condensate to springle downwardly through the steam in said receiver tank to create a. high vacuum therein to draw all the air and condensate from said system, and means associated with said tank for returning the condensate to the boiler of said heating system.

4. The combination with a steam heating system having a steam boiler, radiators, pipes thereto and return pipes therefrom of an auxiliary boiler, a receiver tank, a conduit therebetween, a thermostatically operated valve in said conduit, said valve adapted to close off the steam supply when said receiver tank is filled with steam, a conduit connected with the return line of said system having an upper end extending vertically into said receiver tank, a horizontal platform secured to the upper end of said conduit, means connected with the conduit between said auxiliary boiler and said receiver tank for drawing steam out of said receiver tank when said thermostatic valve is closed to form a vacuum therein and for transmitting said vacuum to said heating system to draw water and air therefrom.

5. The combination with a steam heating system having a steam boiler, radiators, pipes thereto and return pipes therefrom of an auxiliary boiler, a receiver tank, a conduit therebetween, a thermostatically operated valve in said conduit, said valve adapted to close off the steam supply when said receiver tank is filled with steam, a conduit connected with the return line of said system having an upper end extending vertically into said receiver tank, a horizontal platform secured to the upper end of said conduit, means connecting said receiver tank with the heating system, said means comprising a check valve opening towards said system, and a thermostatic valve arranged to open when the receiver is filled with steam, whereby steam in the receiver may be drawn into the heating system.

6. The combination with a steam heating system having a steam boiler, radiators, pipes thereto and return pipes therefrom of an auxiliary boiler, a receiver tank, a conduit therebetween, a thermostatically operated valve in said conduit, said valve adapted to close off the steam supply when said receiver tank is filled with steam, a conduit connected with the return line of said system having an upper end extending vertically into said receiver tank, a horizontal platform secured to the upper end of said conduit, a shell enclosing said' receiver tank, means connected with the conduit between said auxiliary boiler and said receiver tank for opening a passageway to allow cool air to circulate around said receiver tank only when said tank is filled with steam to form a vacuum therein, said conduit associated with said receiver tank adapted to transmit said vacuum to said heating system to draw water and air therefrom and to employ the water drawn from said system to produce the vacuum for operating the same.

'7. The combination with a steam heating system having a steam boiler, radiators, pipes thereto and return pipes therefrom of an auxiliary boiler, a receiver tank, a conduit therebetween,

a thermostatically operated valve in said conduit, said valve adapted to close ofi the steam supply when said receiver tank is filled with steam, a conduit connected with the return line of said system having an upper end extending vertically into said receiver tank, a perforated plate secured to the upper end of said conduit, a shell enclosing said receiver tank, means connected with the conduit between said auxiliary boiler and said receiver tank for opening a passageway to allow cool air to circulate around said receiver tank only when said tank is filled with steam to form a vacuum therein, said conduit associated with said receiver tank adapted to transmit said vacuum to said heating system to draw water and air therefrom and to employ the water drawn from said system to produce the vacuum for operating the same and return said water to said steam boiler and expel said air out of said system. 

